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10/28/2012

Plan your meals a week at a time or pick and choose your favorites. Each meal comes with a handy shopping list. Bon Appetite!

Family SUNDAY

Make it an easy meal today with BAKED HAM at the center of the plate. Accompany the family favorite with a delicious dish, GREEN BEANS AND POTATOES WITH ROSEMARY AND LEMON ZEST (see recipe). Alongside, add TOMATO WEDGES and DEVILED EGGS.

Dessert will be special with your AMBROSIA. In a large bowl, combine 1 (24-ounce) jar drained, refrigerated citrus salad in extra-light syrup, 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks, 1 cup seedless red grapes (halved), 1/2 cup orange juice and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; toss gently to mix. To serve, add 1/4 cup miniature marshmallows and 2 tablespoons shredded coconut. Spoon into dessert dishes. Top with more marshmallows and coconut. Garnish with maraschino cherries. Yum.

PLAN AHEAD: Save enough ham and ambrosia for Monday.
Check out the recipe for this day!

Heat and Eat MONDAY
Make HAM AND BRIE SANDWICHES for an easy meal. Spread pesto on sliced Italian bread, top with the leftover ham, brie cheese slices and arugula. Serve with BAKED CHIPS. Enjoy the leftover AMBROSIA for dessert.

Express TUESDAY
You can have TOMATO SOUP WITH SPINACH AND CORN on the table in no time. Prepare 2 (10 3/4-ounce) cans condensed tomato soup according to directions using 1 percent milk. Add 1 (10-ounce) package frozen (thawed) chopped spinach and 1 cup frozen (thawed) corn. Heat through.

Serve with a LETTUCE WEDGE and CHEESE TOAST. Enjoy PEARS for dessert.

Meatless WEDNESDAY
ZITI WITH RED PEPPERS AND ALMONDS (see recipe) makes a great no-meat meal. Serve the pasta with a MIXED GREEN SALAD and GARLIC BREAD. For a light dessert, RASPBERRY SORBET is perfect.

PLAN AHEAD: Save enough sorbet for Saturday.
Check out the recipe for this day!

Budget THURSDAY
It's fun to save money, especially when the results are as good as CRUNCHY CATFISH. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Dip catfish fillets in cornmeal seasoned with garlic powder, coarse salt and pepper. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until browned and opaque throughout. Serve with OVEN FRIES (frozen) and a GREEN SALAD. Make CORNBREAD from a mix. For dessert, KIWIFRUIT is easy.

Kids' FRIDAY
Throw BURGER DOGS into a whole-grain hot dog bun, and the kids will love them. Season ground turkey with chili powder, cumin, and coarse salt and pepper to taste. Form into hot dog shapes. Broil or pan-fry until no longer pink and serve on a bun. Top with salsa and reduced-fat sour cream. Serve with BAKED BEANS and CELERY STICKS stuffed with fat-free cream cheese and raisins. Munch on OATMEAL COOKIES for dessert.

Entertaining SATURDAY
Your guests will want your recipe for CHICKEN AND PENNE WITH CREAMY PARMESAN AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES (see recipe). Serve the flavorful entree with FRESH BROCCOLI and a SPINACH SALAD. Add BAGUETTES. For dessert, top CHOCOLATE CAKE with leftover SORBET.

Check out the recipe for this day!

Susan Nicholson is an Atlanta-based cookbook author and registered dietitian. E-mail Susan at menuplanner@mindspring.com.